Scope of Work for Support to the Ukrainian Center for Socially Dangerous Disease Control (UCDC)

Communications, Strategic Planning and Resource Mobilization Support to UCDC

Total level of effort: up to 60days, with possible extension for additional up to 60 days

Dates: April 15, 2015 – July 15, 2015 (with possible extension for additional up to 60 days)

Background

The global LMG project (implemented by Management Sciences for Health) is a five-year Cooperative Agreement, funded by USAID with the objective to support health systems strengthening by addressing the gap in leadership, management and governance capacity of policy makers, health care providers and program managers to implement quality health services at all levels of the health system. In mid-2013, the Leadership, Management and Governance (LMG) Project began to work with UCDC, to build on the progress of other projects in strengthening UCDC’s capacity as a Global Fund PR, and to build the institution’s overall capacity as a major player in the Ukrainian health sector.

 UCDC is a specialized agency of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, which performs the functions of intersectoral and interdisciplinary coordination of enterprises, institutions and organizations involved in activities aimed at (i) prevention and treatment of HIV, TB and other infectious diseases; (ii) providing organizational and technical assistance to health care institutions, specialized health care institutions and structural units of health care institutions; (iii) performing diagnostics and providing medical preventive care to people infected with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases; (iv) and supporting organizations providing specialized health care, diagnostic treatment, counselling for people infected with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases.

UCDC currently functions as of the three Principal Recipients (PR) implementing a Single HIV and TB grant from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) for 2015-2017.  The LMG technical assistance efforts in Ukraine are focused on continuing the work with UCDC to strengthen their capacity to be (i) a strong PR under the Global Fund; and (ii) to be a strong institution managing the national HIV and TB programs in Ukraine. 

Objective

The Healthcare system in Ukraine is now undergoing the process of its reform. A shift towards more effective and efficient management of public health is both expected from Ukraine by external partners and donors, as well as demanded by the Ukrainian society. UCDC has a growing capacity and proven excellence in managing complex programs, yet it faces a number of external and internal challenges that could undermine the success achieved so far.

In 2014 LMG facilitated the development of a three-year UCDC Institutional Strategy, operational plan and a costing of the activities mentioned therein. Furthermore, a Resource Mobilization and New Partnership Development Strategy and tools were developed and handed over to UCDC. Among other activities, LMG supported the development of the three-year UCDC Communications Strategy, an Action Plan, and a range of communications channels and tools, including a new, re-designed website to be launched in late March 2015.

As part of their work to strengthen UCDC’s capacity as a leading organization within the Ukrainian health system, the LMG project in Ukraine requires an expert consultant to work with UCDC on (i) the implementation of the three-year UCDC communications strategy and a one-year communications action plan, (ii) introducing and institutionalizing the usage of the communication tools, (iii) providing support to build the communication capacity of select UCDC staff, and (iv) providing support to the implementation of the UCDC Resource Mobilization & New Partnership Development Strategy & Action Plan.

Activities

It is planned that the consultant will work with key UCDC staff members and the LMG staff during up to 60 payable days and will be based in Kiev, Ukraine. No travel outside of Kyiv, Ukraine, will be authorized. The consultant will be expected to complete the following activities:

1. Lead on the implementation of the UCDC Communications Strategy and Communications Action Plan for 2014-2015;
2. Lead on the implementation of the UCDC Resource Mobilization & New Partnership Development Strategy & Action Plan, including, but not limited to, provision of support in drafting project proposals and participation in meeting with donor organizations;
3. Coordinate, together with relevant UCDC staff, the preparation of information materials for the new UCDC web-site;
4. Support UCDC in ensuring the increased visibility of UCDC in various domains of public information and mass media; if necessary provide appropriate advice, guidance and training to the UCDC staff on the communications-related matters;
5. Lead on the implementation of rules, envisaged in the UCDC Brandbook; lead on the development and implementation of SOPs to ensure smooth functioning of UCDC website and social media accounts;
6. Support the UCDC Focal Point for the “Don’t Give AIDS a Chance” campaign and promote the visibility of UCDC on communications and resource mobilization-related matters in this and other potential campaigns and events;
7. Support UCDC in filling-in the content of the UCDC social media channels and in coordinating informational support activities with technical staff of the organization;
8. Other communications, strategic planning and resource mobilization-related activities as assigned by the CCI/LMG-Ukraine Project Lead.

 Key Deliverables

1. Monthly progress reports, submitted on a monthly basis and containing:
   1. a detailed description of all of the above-described activities carried out as part of this consultancy in the past month;
   2. outline of key issues and challenges faced in the course of implementation of this consultancy in the past month and proposed actions to address those challenges; and
   3. plans for the next month.

Experience and skills required of local consultant                                                

-          Academic background in PR, mass media or other related field (a minimum of BA is required; MA preferred);

-          Minimum three years of professional experience in communications or PR is required;

-          Advanced knowledge of communications tools;

-          Strong IT and graphics/design and layout/ skills;

-          Experience in assisting organizations (both public and private sector, preferably) to implement communications strategies and communications action plans;

-          Experience in assisting organizations in implementing resource mobilization and/or fund raising strategies;

-          Experience related to implementing communications activities through social media, including Facebook and Twitter;

-          Experience in conducting communications trainings is preferred;

-          Ability to focus on multiple tasks in stressful environment;

-          Strategic planning and thinking skills;

-          Ability to lead on several complex tasks;

-          Ability to interact effectively with both state and non-state actors;

-          Ability to deliver within limited deadlines;

-          Fluency in Ukrainian, English and Russian;

-          Excellent writing skills.

 In all of the above activities, the consultant will collaborate closely with all relevant UCDC staff members as well as with MSH LMG staff based in Kiev, Ukraine. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter to Alisher Latypov at [email protected] , Stanislav Sereda at [email protected] , and Yaroslav Brilenko at [email protected] by COB April 05, 2015.